AN HEROIC grandad today told how he stunned a bank robber - by hitting him with a bag containing two tubs of neopolitan ice cream.

Jim Ledsham, 68, overpowered 32-year-old Paul Mills after he raided the Abbey National Bank, in Kirkby town centre.

The brave pensioner was shopping with wife Margaret when he heard screaming in the bank and shouts of "It's a robbery".

He let fleeing customers escape from the premises and stood to the side of the entrance, before tackling Mills and wrestling him to the ground, stopping him escaping with #2,500 cash.

Mr Ledsham, from West Derby, held onto Mills for almost a minute before passing off-duty policeman Inspector Peter Owens rushed over and arrested the raider.

Reliving the drama, Mr Ledsham said today: "I was about to put my pension in the bank when I heard shouts, people were rushing out.

"I stood to one side until the chap came out. I hit him with a bag of groceries that contained two ice cream tubs; that staggered him so I wrestled him to the ground.

"He was fighting like a lunatic and was very strong but I got him in a headlock. I pulled his scarf off his face so I would recognise him even if he got away, but then the policeman arrived."

Mills, of no fixed address, had used a toy gun during the raid and had almost been caught under the counter security screen before fleeing.

He was jailed for three years at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to robbery and possessing an imitation firearm while committing the offence on February 8.

He was carrying a white plastic bag containing an object and had a scarf around the lower half of his face.

Staff pressed an alarm button which activated a security screen and this caught him on the leg as he jumped onto the counter.

Mills, a father of two, continued to leap forward to avoid being further trapped and ended up with the staff on the inside of the counter.

The terrified cashiers believed he had a gun in the bag and acceded to his demands for cash. He left with the #2,500 takings from a till but as he ran outside and tried to get onto a bicycle he was challenged by Jim.

After hearing of Mr Ledsham's bravery Judge Denis Clark awarded him #500 and is drawing up a certificate of commendation.

Judge Clark said: "Mr Ledsham's actions were vital in the administration of justice - he was extremely brave. This is a token reward to say 'thank you' for his public spiritedness."

Mr Ledsham said he would not hesitate to do it all again.

He added: "I didn't have any fear. I have always been fit and used to be in the Territorial Army. I did not have the slightest doubt I could control him.

"I was heavily bruised on my ribs for two weeks afterwards but it's just my instinct to get involved. My wife was terrified as it was happening but I wasn't."

Insp Peter Owens, Mr Ledsham's partner in foiling the crime, said: "I saw a big kerfuffle but I could only tell who the offender was because Mr Ledsham was jumping on his back. After going over, I was kneeling on one arm and Mr Ledsham was kneeling on the other.

"The strength he showed for a man his age was very impressive. He didn't know a police officer was about, he was very brave."